Marist Hires Jessica O'Brien as Head Lacrosse Coach

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray has announced the hiring of Jessica O'Brien as head women's lacrosse coach. O'Brien, a Marist graduate who helped lead the Red Foxes to their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship as a senior, spent the last two seasons as the top assistant coach at Wagner.

"Even as a student-athlete, I was always impressed with Jessica's maturity, leadership and passion," Murray said. "I have great confidence that she will bring those same qualities to her work as our head women's lacrosse coach."

O'Brien was a four-year member of the Marist women's lacrosse team, as she played for the Red Foxes during the 2005-08 seasons. She twice rebounded from season-ending injuries to score 42 goals in 51 career games. O'Brien also totaled 86 ground balls, 51 caused turnovers and 47 draw controls in her playing career.

In her senior year, O'Brien was an integral part of the Red Foxes first conference championship team. She scored a career-high 20 goals and also set a career high with 22 caused turnovers while playing in all 19 of the team's games.

As an assistant coach at Wagner, O'Brien was involved in a considerable number of on- and off-the-field aspects of the program. She worked primarily with the Seahawks' defensive and goaltending units while also serving as the program's recruiting coordinator. Additionally, she was heavily involved in organizing practices, travel, film exchange and fundraising while monitoring the team's academic progress. Wagner was an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Merit Squad in 2009, and an IWLCA Academic Squad in 2010.

O'Brien has also served as head coach of the Liberty Lacrosse Club on Long Island for the past three summers. In that position, she coached 25 rising high school seniors in summer tournaments and showcases.

"I am extremely honored to be named head coach at Marist College and would like to thank Director of Athletics Tim Murray and the administration for giving me this opportunity," O'Brien said. "I look forward to working alongside the Marist community and living in the Poughkeepsie area once again. The women's lacrosse program has shown tremendous improvements over the years and I look forward to taking the reins while continuing this trend. I am thrilled to be back at my alma mater and look forward to continuing the winning tradition as a Red Fox."

O'Brien earned her B.A. in Communications-Advertising with a minor in Studio Art from Marist, and earned her M.B.A. in Management from Wagner.

The Marist women's lacrosse team won its second MAAC championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2010. The Red Foxes have reached the MAAC championship game each of the last four seasons.